Phelps Passion Surpassed

At the Beijing 2008 Olympics, in the 100 meter butterfly,
multi-gold medalist Michael Phelps won by one one-hundredth of a second. While
his competitor, Milorad Cavic glided in the water, Mr. Phelps powered a last
half-stroke, which made all the difference. A top-of-the world champion doesn’t
glide. And he never gives up.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica is the first person in twenty-four years to
win both the 100 meter and 200 meter race in track and field, both in world record time.
He said afterwards, "When I saw I could get the world record in the 200, I told myself I was going to
leave everything on the track, and I did just that."[i] Nothing
held back. He gave all that was in him to the effort to win.

Have we found anything in our lives that is worth giving our
all for, worth all our passion? There are many worthy goals in life—build a
good business, raise good children, discover new medicines—and yet only one
goal is worth giving our all. To do the will of God.

That phrase reminds me of something John Perkins, the Christian
community organizer, said, at the Cornerstone Fest in the mid-nineties: “I
sleep four hours a night. The rest of the time I think and pray about how to do
the will of God in my life.” Mr. Perkins is giving his all for God’s love and
justice to be manifest among the poor. Mr. Phelps’ passion to be the best
Olympic athlete ever and Mr. Bolt’s electric finishes have nothing on Mr. Perkins.
John Perkins is a top-of-the world champion in God’s eyes.   

Father, please give us
a passion for your good will.